The Death of Mrs Westaway: A modern-day murder mystery from The Sunday Times Bestseller

by Ruth Ware

'I read this in two lightning-quick sittings...I absolutely adored it' Lisa Jewell, bestselling author of The Family Upstairs

HAL MUST KEEP GOING OR RISK LOSING EVERYTHING...EVEN HER LIFE.

When Harriet Westaway receives an unexpected letter telling her she's inherited a substantial bequest from her Cornish grandmother, it seems like the answer to her prayers.

There's just one problem - Hal's real grandparents died more than twenty years ago.

Hal desperately needs the cash and makes a choice that will change her life for ever. She knows that her skills as a seaside fortune teller could help her con her way to getting the money.

But once Hal embarks on her deception, there is no going back.
_______________

Praise for THE DEATH OF MRS WESTAWAY:
'Ruth Ware's best: a dark and dramatic thriller, part murder mystery, part family drama' A. J. Finn
'Unsettling and brilliant' Heat
'[An] explosive claustrophobic family drama laced with a touch of du Maurier' Woman & Home
'Atmospheric and eerie with Agatha Christie vibes' Prima
'Highly atmospheric' The Times
'Unguessably twisty' Louise Candlish

• ISBN10: 1784704369
• ISBN13: 9781784704360
• Publish Date: 4 April 2019 (first published 29 May 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Vintage
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[alisoninbookland]

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Great audiobook. I loved the deeply unsettling feeling throughout the novel. Terrific twists and turns. I was able to predict some of the surprises but others really did surprise me. Can't wait to read more from Ware!

[Berls]

Well that's 2 for 2 for me and Ruth Ware! She's quickly working her way up my list of favorite authors. I'm not much for being scared, but her ability to weave suspense and mystery is enough to get me over that. And it's not screaming scary, just very tense and anxious as I wrack my brain trying to figure out what the hell is happening. Everytime I thought I had figured out all the players, something changed and I had to start over. A great mystery with fascinating characters and a unique story. The narration added to it I think, asthe narrator did a good job really pulling out the characters. It's fun to read a book that's not part of a series, and yet, I wish there were more!

[jesstheaudiobookworm]

4.25★ Audiobook⎮The Death of Mrs. Westaway was my introduction to Ruth Ware. I was intrigued by the comparisons to Agatha Christie and, after having completed this novel, I can confidently agree with them. At times, it seemed like Ruth Ware did Agatha Christie better than Agatha Christie.

That may be a slightly exaggeration, but it was based on my feelings while listening to The Death of Mrs. Westaway. I got into this story so quickly that it was almost like I had heard it before. Ware’s writing evoked a sense of familiarity that was instantly comforting. It took no effort at all to slip into the story and be carted off.

If anything, I think The Death of Mrs. Westaway may have been slightly easier to follow been anything written by Christie. That could be due to slight modernizations of speech and setting. However, such modernizations were not overtly obtrusive to the story. They subconsciously oriented the listener without sacrificing anything from Ware’s writing style, which clearly hearkened back to Agatha Christie’s.

However, I’m baffled as to why this audiobook was so easy to hear. I couldn’t describe the writing as simplistic or concise, yet it seemed almost “laid back”, for lack of a better phrase. Ware’s descriptions weren’t necessarily detailed, but they were explained at length. Perhaps, if Agatha Christie had written this, it would have only been a three or four hour production. I did notice that The Death of Mrs. Westaway seemed to drag on, but not necessarily in an unpleasant way.

In the past, I have been somewhat frustrated by the brisk and seemingly abrupt resolutions penned by Agatha Christie. By contrast, Ware took her time building up to several different revelations, providing adequate explanations, and dealing with their fallouts. On the whole, I think Ware’s method is far more satisfying. However, it may not appeal to certain readers who wish for her to “get on with it”.

In the end, I was grateful that Ware went the extra mile in explaining the “whodunit”. The mystery was so intricate that I had about 10 different theories formulating in my mind at any given time and it wound up being a combination of nearly all of them. This was very much a “show” not “tell” story, with clues being dropped along like breadcrumbs. It was very considerate of Ruth Ware to tie things up so nicely.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway was a very “rainy autumn day” type of listen. It wasn’t exactly scary, but the suspense was practically palpable. I’m pleased to have discovered Ruth Ware right here on the cusp of autumn. I’m sure I’ll be hearing much more of her in the next three months.

Narration review: Imogen Church absolutely killed it. She killed it, y’all. Hats off to her, seriously. She really brought it with the character distinctions. More than once I thought, “This is one woman doing all of these voices!”.The Death of Mrs. Westaway was one of those books that could easily have tripped up a less skilled narrator. Several of the characters were of a similar demographic and she could have easily phoned it in with one “snooty middle-aged British guy” voice. But no, Church provided clear distinctions between all four of them, even though three of them were brothers. I can’t tell you how much this helped in my listening experience. It’s like the difference between driving with and without a map.

Despite having her on my radar for quite sometime now, this was my first audiobook from Imogen Church. But it certainly won’t be my last. I think I’m more excited to tear through her list of audiobooks and than I am Ruth Ware’s. This is going to be an awesome Fall for audiobook listening. ♣︎

[kimbacaffeinate]

Caffeinated reasons to grab you earbuds and listen to The Death of Mrs. Westaway

• Ware offers a classic whodunit with interesting suspects, red herrings, and subtle clues. I found myself compelled to listen to just one more chapter.


• I would not classify this as a thriller although moments are suspenseful. I would instead say this is a mystery that slowly unfolds revealing dark secrets.


• Harriet Westaway, a young single woman who goes prefers to be called Hal,  is at the end of her rope financially when she receives a letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She quickly realizes there has been an error, but she poses as the intended recipient and uses the last of her fund to take the train to Mrs. Westaway's Manor where she meets the rest of the family and benefactors. Ware shrouds the tale that unfolds in memories, secrets and twists.


• We soon share moments from the past as Hal looks to find the truth.


• Don't expect to love these characters, but, I can assure you they will intrigue you. Dare I say some might even frighten you. Our protagonist Hal is someone I rooted for. She is clever, quiet, and. plagued with guilt. Despite her deception she has a conscience and one cannot help but become caught up in her story. I felt for her and feared for her. There were moments where I wanted her to run.. shut up...run..stop asking questions and run!


• Fans of Agatha Christie will feel right at home as they sort out the clues, piece together bits of conversation and watch as Hal uncovers truths.


• With nods to Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier this gothic tale with its twists, creepy setting and disturbing characters will completely draw you in.


• The setting gave me chills.  It's atmospheric presence from the creepy manor with and its foreboding gate and darken corridors, to the cries of the magpies.


• Imogen Church is a brilliant narrator who knows how to capture the uncertainty, suspense and tone of Ware's book., She creates unique character voices that will sometimes send chills down your spine. I love when a narrator can enhance a story adding a whole new level of enjoyment.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer